Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
FORMER Zimbabwe international and Warriors assistant coach Mkhuphali Masuku is back at Talen Vision, returning as head coach nearly five years after first taking charge of the Filabusi-based side.
Masuku arrived back in Zimbabwe two weeks ago after spending close to three years in Europe. His return was prompted by renewed talks with Talen Vision officials, who persuaded him to resume a project that stalled after his departure in 2019. The club believes the timing matters, coming off a season that ended in disappointment and sharpened internal questions about direction and leadership.
Last season, Talen Vision watched promotion slip away in the closing stretch of the Zifa Southern Region League. With the finish line in sight, a run of poor results flipped the table and opened the door for Bulawayo City, who seized the moment and went up. For a club that had spent most of the campaign in contention, the collapse left a mark that has not faded.
Club chairman Elton Sinyosi confirmed Masuku’s appointment on Saturday, saying the decision was rooted in familiarity and unfinished work rather than sentiment.
“He is back as our head coach,” Sinyosi said. “He knows this club, he understands what we are trying to build, and that matters to us. Lizwe Sweswe remains technical director because this is a long term project. We want continuity, not another reset.”
Sinyosi said Masuku would be given room to shape his technical team, with further announcements expected this week. The coach’s formal unveiling is also scheduled in the coming days.
“We are backing the technical side fully,” Sinyosi said. “After what happened last season, we know we cannot afford to drift. The ambition is clear. This team must be built properly and it must be built to last.”
Talen Vision’s near miss was an exception rather than the norm. For several seasons before last year’s mid-table finish, the club had been a regular top five presence in the Southern Region League, often mentioned among the most stable outfits outside the Premiership.
The failure to close the deal, however, exposed thin margins and raised doubts about whether the squad had reached its ceiling.
Masuku, who is known for keeping a low public profile, confirmed his return but avoided laying out targets or timelines. Instead, he spoke about rebuilding trust inside the club and restoring momentum lost at the end of last season.
“I’m not a magician and I won’t promise miracles,” Masuku said. “Football doesn’t work like that. What matters is putting the right processes in place and allowing them to grow. If that happens, results will come.”
He said his previous stint at the club made the decision easier, especially after discussions with the leadership.
“I know these corridors, I know the people, and I know what the club wants to be,” Masuku said. “The chairman and the president care serious about this project.
“That kind of commitment is important. If everyone pulls in the same direction, there is a lot we can still achieve.”
Bongani Ndlovu